When Elite Comedians Mock the People Who Actually Build Things
Jimmy Kimmel stepped in it this week. The late-night host took shots at newly-confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin for his plumbing background, then doubled down when conservatives called him out for it.
"I'm not upset that the head of homeland security used to be a plumber," Kimmel said Thursday night. "I'm upset that he isn't still a plumber."
Because nothing says "I respect working people" quite like wishing they'd stayed in their lane, right?
The Attack That Backfired
Here's what Kimmel left out of his comedy routine: Mullin didn't just "used to be a plumber." At 20 years old, he left college to take over his family's plumbing business when his father fell ill. That small family operation? Mullin grew it into a multi-million dollar enterprise.
But sure, Jimmy. Tell us more about how business leadership, crisis management, and building something from scratch doesn't translate to executive experience.
Kimmel tried to clean up his mess by comparing Mullin's situation to conservatives who criticized Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's bartending background. "Well, on behalf of bartenders everywhere, we anxiously await your apology," he quipped.
The comparison reveals everything wrong with elite thinking. AOC went from mixing drinks to proposing a $93 trillion Green New Deal that would bankrupt the country. Mullin went from fixing pipes to building a business empire, then serving Oklahoma in Congress for over a decade.
What Real Qualifications Look Like
Let's talk about what actually prepares someone to run Homeland Security:
Crisis Management: When your pipes burst at 2 AM, you don't get to form a committee. You fix it. Now.
Resource Allocation: Running a multi-million dollar business means knowing where every dollar goes and making it count.
Team Leadership: Managing plumbers, dispatchers, customer service, and operations staff across multiple locations isn't exactly a solo act.
Problem Solving: When the system breaks, you don't blame the previous administration. You roll up your sleeves and get it working.
Compare that to your average Washington bureaucrat who's never signed a paycheck or met a deadline that mattered.
The Elite Bubble on Full Display
Kimmel's comments expose the toxic snobbery that's infected our political class. To them, anyone who works with their hands is automatically disqualified from leadership. You can have an Ivy League degree and run the State Department into the ground, but God forbid you actually built something successful.
This is the same mindset that looks down on farmers who feed the nation, truckers who stock the shelves, and yes, plumbers who keep civilization flowing.
The funniest part? Kimmel thinks he landed a zinger by saying he "wouldn't call a five-star general to pull a rat out of my toilet."
Here's a thought, Jimmy: maybe we need more people in Washington who know what it's like when the system actually has to work.
The President's Pick
President Trump chose Mullin because he gets results. Whether it's building a business, representing Oklahoma, or now securing our homeland, Mullin has a track record of taking on tough jobs and delivering.
That's exactly what Americans voted for. Leaders who've actually led something besides a late-night TV show.
Further Reading
- Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing highlights
- From plumber to Senator: Mullin's business success story
- Why blue-collar experience matters in leadership
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The next time your toilet backs up at midnight, call Jimmy Kimmel. See how his comedy degree handles the crisis.